West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-03-11
WEST VIRGINIA'S SENATOR.
Very Interesting Facts in the Life OF
Daniel Bedinger Lucas.
New York World.

dpI)Olu6cu OhieVu N1SeANS
from West Virginia, comes of long
line of Democrats. His great-grand-
father was Congressman Rutherford
in the old Continental days, his
grandfather, Daniel Bedinger, was
Naval Agent at Norfolk under Pres
ident Jefferson, and his father, Will
liam Lucas. was a member OF Con-
gress several times nearly half a
century ago. The new Senator in
herits his literary gifts from Daniel
Bedinger, who to this day lives in
the minds of thousands of Virgin
ians as gifted poet. The Cos
sacks Celebration" one of his hap
piest efforts, is still quoted through
out the Valley of Virginia.
Virginians love a plucky man.
Perhaps that is why Daniel Lucas
has always had a host of warm per-
sonal friends at command. Though
quiet, genial, peace-loving man, he
never submits to anything border
ing on coercion, and the thousands
who know how many times he has
faced down those who have tried to
bully him respect and admire his
courage. Grit seems to run in the
Lucas family. William Lucas, the
Senator's father, was famous law
yer quarter of Il century ago, in
the Valley of Virginia. lie was a
warm, personal friend of Andrew
Jackson, and when he was in Con
gress nearly half century ago his
courage became a sort OF proverb
among his contemporaries. Not un-
like Jackson in face and figure, he
resembled him still more in the in
trepidity with which he faced every
danger. He was second to Govern
or Frank Thomas, of Maryland, in
the duel between Thomas and
United States District-Attorney
William Price, of Baltimore, who
had the services OF Reverdy johnson
as second. The men met in Virgin
ia. There was much bitter feeling
over the difficulty, and at one time
it looked as if all connected with it
would pop at one another on the
field of honor. Some one who did
not know Lucas asked well known
Virginian If he thought he would
fight. "Fight?" said he. why,
he'd fight rsttlesnake and give
him first bite"
The character of Senator Lucas is
plainly written on his face Kindly
eyes of blush gray look out from
under a broad, high, overhanging
forehead and temper the sternness
evinced by the wide strongly marked
mouth. The jaw and chin are al
most massive. The head is large
and shapely covered with a short
thick growth of brown hair, now we'll
tinged with gray. The man impress
ses you from the first with an idea
of quiet strength and indomitable
will.
Daniel B. Lucas was practising law
in Charlestown when old John Brown
was locked up there during the
months preceding his execution.
The young lawyer did many acts OF
kindness for the condemned Aboli-
ZIONIST, and Brown appreciated his
kindness. They had many conver
sations, and as the end drew near
the old man gave Mr. Lucas the best
mementO he could think OF, the pike
he carried in his raid. The Senator
still keeps it. Shortly after the
close of the war Mr.. Lucas was in
vited TO lecture in the Lyceum at
Winchester To the surprise of ev-
cry one and to the horror of his
friends he took for his. subject,
'John Brown, the Heroic Fanatic. "
A riskier place to speak of the vir-
tues of Brown would have been hard
to find; yet so able was Lucas's plea
for the old man, whose principles he
in no way endorsed, that the audi
ence passed vote of thanks.
Mr.. Lucas married in Winchester
in October, 1859, the eldest
daughter of Henry L. Brooke, an
eminent member of the Richmond
bar. Mr.. Brooke's father and uncle,
twin brothers, had been respectively
Governor of Virginia and Judge of
the State Court of Appeals in Pres
ident Washington's Administration.
While living in Richmond during
the war Mr.. Lucas was Miss
Brooke's enthusiastic admirer. For
ten years his courtship continued,
and although she was great belle
and had host of admirers, his i'm
portunity finally prevailed. They
had two children, son, who died in
infancy, and daughter, Miss Vir-
ginia Lucas, who is with her pa
rents in Charleston.
To brighten and polish nickel
plating and prevent rust apply
rouge with a little fresh lard or
lord oil on a woch laothar or n nipcp